World Cup 2026 marks Hong Myung-bo's 7th time participating in the biggest tournament on the planet as a player and coach. When he was a player, he participated in the 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002 World Cups.
After retiring, he participated in the 2006 World Cup as an assistant coach under Dick Advocaat. After that, Hong Myung-bo led the South Korean national team at the 2014 World Cup before taking on this role in this year's tournament.
As the captain of the Korean national team who participated in the 2002 World Cup semi-finals at home, Hong Myung-bo understands the impact of this achievement on the country.
Sharing with FIFA, he said: "The 1990s were a very difficult period for South Korea due to the financial crisis, and by 2002, it seemed that the country had just begun to overcome that period. People seemed exhausted after everything they had gone through.
As a team, we can see how much people are looking forward to the World Cup and we enter the tournament with the hope of bringing joy to everyone, especially after the difficult times just passed. The 2002 World Cup united the whole nation and that made the tournament very special. I am very proud to have contributed to that as a player”.
In that year's tournament, the South Korean team defeated Italy in the round of 16, then defeated Spain in the quarter-finals in a penalty shootout. Hong Myung-bo himself was the player who took the decisive penalty kick to defeat Spain.
After that, the South Korean team lost to Germany in the semi-finals before continuing to lose 2-3 to the Turkish team in the third-place match. To date, South Korea is still the Asian team with the best performance in World Cup history with reaching the semi-finals.
It would be great if the players could repeat that success, but I don't want what we achieved in 2002 to become a burden on the current squad. The players understand their responsibility to represent their country, but I want them to see the World Cup as a stage to enjoy, not something to be afraid of.
Personally, I don't talk to the players about 2002. Instead, I spend more time talking about what we need to do in the future and the challenges ahead. I mean, some players in the current squad have not even been born when we reached the semi-finals. For them, it's like ancient history," Hong Myung-bo said.
According to Hong Myung-bo, times have changed, the current Korean national team players have a different mindset compared to his generation. However, fighting spirit is still one of the strengths of the Korean national team and an important part of the preparation process for the World Cup.
This strategist also understands the pressure that Son Heung-min, the captain of the Korean national team, is facing. He said: "Son Heung-min has played many important roles for the national team in recent years, and I expect him to make a significant contribution to this World Cup. Son is currently an experienced player, and that experience helps him understand what is needed in each stage of preparation and playing at the World Cup.
I hope he doesn't put too much pressure on himself, keeps good health and can contribute as we know he can. I completely understand the burden of responsibility and pressure when being captain. I always try to help reduce that burden whenever possible.
According to Hong Myung-bo, the Korean national team currently has many players playing in Europe. "I think that has erased all the fears they once had about the international arena. This is very different from when I was a player.
If our players continue to be more confident and build mutual trust, I believe that the Korean team can become one of the top teams, not just a team that occasionally creates surprises.
At the 2026 World Cup, the Korean national team will be in Group A with hosts Mexico, South Africa and the Czech Republic.
